Letter Author Says Manatee County Needs New Animal Shelter | East County

Manatee County needs a new animal shelter

In a July 22 op-ed (“County Should Slow Down Pet Project”), Observer Editor-in-Chief Jay Heater promoted the idea that with the donation from Bishop Animal Shelter , Manatee County forgoes building a new animal shelter and, instead, turns to more public-private partnerships.

Yes, such partnerships are a piece of the puzzle but not the only solution to the county’s growing needs for animal services. The provision of animal services is very complex. There are national standards for facility design, staffing levels, and the overall ability to provide humane care to shelter animals.

Even with the additional capacity of Bishop’s facilities, both existing and planned, the total delivery of animal services in Manatee County will not meet these standards. A new facility to replace the existing county animal shelter, which most council commissioners say should be demolished, is needed.

As a concerned citizen, I asked county commissioners to take a break before dismissing the idea of ​​a new shelter and doing three things. First, keep the $ 6 million budgeted. Second, ask Animal Services to provide a plan for integrating Bishop into county animal service operations. And, third, ask Animal Services to submit to Commissioners for consideration a long-term vision and strategic plan for the future of animal service delivery in Manatee County.

This plan would take into account the rapid growth of the county’s human and animal populations, evolving changes in best practices and standards in today’s animal service industry, and the ways in which county rescues and rescues. Local nonprofit animals can work better together to provide quality animals. services to county residents and their pets.

Teri Bridge

East County

Editor’s Note: The column noted that commissioners should wait to determine whether adding the given facility “plus” the renovation of the current facility will be sufficient to meet the county’s needs.

Don’t forget the dog and cat rescue groups

Good discussion (“County should slow down pet project”) regarding additional county animal shelter. I was hoping to see somewhere in the article, in addition to the volunteer animal shelters owned and operated by individuals, a mention of the various dog and cat breed rescue groups.

I have been involved in golden retriever rescue for the past 20 years in California, Illinois, New Mexico, Michigan, and now Southwest Florida. Each of the groups I joined were very organized and well staffed, all made up of volunteers.

I can’t even begin to add up all the miles we’ve driven with our little RAV4 traveling here and there, carrying our furry friends from place to place. Maybe if you follow up you can highlight these volunteer groups?

Rick schuknecht

Bradenton, Florida

The county has excellent rescue facilities

Excellent article (“County should slow down pet project”). I agree with everything you said. I volunteer at the Humane Society in Lakewood Ranch and it is a fantastic facility. I wouldn’t mind living there! We are raising our own funds and doing as well as you would expect.

Thank you for this light.

Eileen O’Neill

East County